THE
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR FAIRBANKS IN RELATION TO THE REBELLION OF 1861.

[Desirous
of obtaining from the most authentic source, a full and correct account of the
organizing, officering, equipping, subsisting and sending into the field the
first six Vermont
regiments raised during the late administration, we made application to Gov.
Fairbanks for such historic paper, who complied with the request and forwarded
the following account. With his characteristic modesty, he gives his account as
in the third person, and has evidently avoided speaking of the labors to which
he was necessarily subjected during the last six months of his official year.
It was necessary, under the law, that he should give his personal attention to
the details in the formation of each regiment, and every bill and voucher in an
expenditure of more than half a million, was audited by him, assisted only by
his valuable secretary, Col. Merrill. (See reports of the legislative
committee. In other states, such duties are divided among other boards of
officers.) There was also the signing of 500,000 of state bonds, and drawing
his warrants on the state treasury for accounts and bills allowed. In brief, an
amount of business which could hardly have been accomplished, had he not been
accustomed to active business habits; all which, however, and much more, he
passes over, submitting the following valuable record, which we give verbatim.
 Ed.]

Governor
Fairbanks accepted the nomination for the executive office in 1860, with the
distinct understanding that it should be but for a single term only. The
country was at peace, and all the interests of the state were prosperous. The
annual October session of the legislature was marked by no unusual features.

The
governor, in his address, recommended a few important measures for the
consideration of the two houses, and closed by congratulating the members upon
the general prosperity of the state and country.

The
result of the presidential election in November, was the signal for the
development of dark schemes for the overthrow of the government and the
dismemberment of the Union.

Immediately
after the assembling of the 36th congress, the insolent bearing of south­ern
senators and members  the development of treason in the cabinet  the
threatening tone of the southern press, and the disloyal resolves of southern
legislatures and con­ventions, indicated but too clearly the pro­bable
necessity of effective military prepara­tions to protect the country and the
United States government from the deep and fast maturing plans of traitors.

Vermont had no effective military organization. Her uniformed
militia consisted of a few unfilled companies, in some of the principal
villages, while the enrolled militia was a myth. The duty devolved upon the
town listers to make returns of citizens liable to be called to do military
service, but that duty had been extensively neglected, and, at best, the
provision of the statute was practically inefficient. In view of the
possibility, not to say probability, that a requisition for troops would be
made upon Vermont by the general government, Gov. Fairbanks issued an order,
dated the 25th of January, 1861, requiring the officers charged with the duty,
to make returns of the enrolled militia forthwith; and at the same time a
general order, Nov. 10, was issued, requiring the commanding officers of the
uni­formed militia companies to adopt measures for filling all vacancies, and
to have their men properly drilled and uniformed. A few of the companies responded
to this order, but very little was accomplished until after the requisition of
the secretary of war.

On
the 15th of April, a requisition was received by telegraph from the secretary
of war, upon the governor of Vermont, for one
regiment of infantry, being the quota for Vermont of the 75,000 troops called for by
the president's proclamation of the same date.

Governor
Fairbanks immediately issued his proclamation for a special session of the
legislature, and gave the necessary orders for detailing ten companies from the
uniformed militia, and for furnishing the regiment with its outfit. The
legislature assembled at the capital April 23d, when Gov. Fairbanks delivered
the following address before the joint assembly:

Gentlemen
of the Senate and House of Representatives:

We
are convened to day in view of events of an extraordinary and very alarming
character. The element of disunion which,
in a portion of the United
States, for many years, vented itself in
threats and menaces, has culminated in open rebellion; and an unnatural and
causeless civil war has been precipitated against the general government.

Unprincipled
and ambitious men have organized a despotism and an armed force, for

MILITARY
CHAPTER. 437

the purpose of overthrowing that government which the
American people have formed for themselves, and of destroying that
constitutional frame-work, under which we have enjoyed peace and prosperity,
and from a small and feeble people, grown and expanded to a rank among the
first nations of the earth.

The
enormity of this rebellion is heightened by the consideration that no valid
cause exists for it. The history of the civilized world does not furnish an
instance where a revolution was attempted for such slight causes. No act of
oppression, no attempted or threatened invasion of the rights of the revolting
states, has existed, either on the part of the general government, or of the
loyal states; but the principle has been recognized and observed, that, the
right of each and every state to regulate its domestic institutions, should
remain inviolate.

The
inception and progress of this rebellion have been remarkable; and
characterized, at every stage, by a total absence of any high honorable
principle or motive in its leaders. Its master spirits are composed,
essentially, of men who have been in high official position in the general
government; and it has transpired that members of the late cabinet at Washington, while in the exercise of their official
functions, were engaged in treasonable plots for seizing the public property
and subverting the United
States government. Conventions of delegates
in the revolting states, chosen, in some instances, by a minority of the legal
voters in those states, have, with indecent haste, adopted ordinances of
secession, which ordinances have in no instance been submitted to the people
for their ratification.

These
proceedings have been followed by a convention of delegates from the several
revolting states, which convention has organized a confederate government,
adopted a constitution, elected its executive officers and subordinate
functionaries, constituted itself into a legislative body, and enacted a code
of laws  all which proceedings have been independent of any action of the
people of those states.

The
authorities of the revolting states, and subsequently that of their
confederacy, have proceeded to acts of robbery and theft upon the property of
the United States,
within their limits. Forts, arsenals, arms, military stores, and other public
property, have been seized and appropriated for use against the power of the
general government; and custom houses and mints in southern cities, with large
amounts of treasure, have been feloniously robbed.

These
acts have been followed by military demonstrations and strategetical operations
against the United States
forts at Pensacola and Charleston,
the latter of which, under its gallant commander, Maj. Anderson, after a
bombardment of thirty-four hours, from beleaguering batteries of the
insurgents, was evacuated on the 13th instant, and the flag of the Union withdrawn. But the crowning act of perfidy, on the
part of the conspirators, is the proclamation of Jefferson Davis, styling
himself the president of the southern confederacy, "inviting all those who
may desire, by service in private armed vessels on the high seas, to aid his
government, to make application for commissions, or letters of marque or
reprisal;" thus instituting a grand scheme of piracy on the high seas,
against the lives and private property of peaceful citizens.

These
acts of outrage and daring rebellion have been equalled only by the forbearance
of the general government. Unwilling to precipitate a conflict which must
involve the country in all the calamities of civil war, the present government
of the United States has exhausted every effort for peace, and every measure
for bringing, back to their allegiance these disaffected and misguided states.

The
duty of protecting the forts and government, property, not possessed by the
insurgents, was imperative upon the administration; but further than this, no
measures for coercing the revolting states into obedience to the constitution
and the laws were adopted, and in the matter of the beleaguered forts, the
government acted only on the defensive, until the conflict was commenced by the
insurgents.

Such
forbearance on the part of the government, while it has served to place the
conspirators in a moral wrong, is no longer justifiable; and the country hails,
with entire unanimity and with ardent enthusiasm, the decision of the president
to call into requisition the whole power of the nation for suppressing the
rebellion and repelling threatened aggressions.

From
every part of the country, in all the loyal states, there is one united voice
for sustaining the Union, the constitution, and the integrity of the United States
government. All partizan differences are ignored and lost in the higher
principle of patriotism.

In
this patriotic enthusiasm, Vermont
eminently participates. Her citizens, always loyal to the Union,
will, in this hour of peril, nobly rally for the protection of the government
and the constitution.

On
the fifteenth instant, the president of the United
States issued his proclamation, "calling forth the
militia of the several states of the Union, to
the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress treasonable
combinations, and cause the laws to be duly executed."

The
quota required of Vermont,
for immediate service, is one regiment of seven hundred and eighty officers and
privates.

On
receiving the requisition from the secretary of war, for this regiment, I
ordered the adjutant and inspector general to adopt the proper measures for
calling into service such of the volunteer companies as are necessary to make
up the complement; and the quartermaster general was directed to procure, with
the least possible delay, the requisite outfit of knapsacks, overcoats,
blankets,

438 VERMONT HISTORICAL. MAGAZINE.

and other equipments; which duty he has performed.

Having
adopted the foregoing preliminary measures, for responding to the call of the
president, I availed myself of the constitutional provision for convening the
general assembly in an extra session; not doubting that you, gentlemen,
representing the universally expressed patriotism of the citizens of this
state, will make all necessary appropriations and provisions for defraying the
expenses already incurred and carrying into execution further measures for
placing our military quota at the service of the general government.

Conceiving
it imminently probable that, at an early day, further calls will be made upon
this state for troops, I respectfully call your attention to the importance of
adopting immediate measures for a more efficient organization of the military
arm of the state.

During
the long interval of peace which we have enjoyed, while our citizens have been
uninterrupted in their lawful industrial pursuits, the importance of a military
organization and discipline has been lost sight of.

Our
laws in relation to the militia have been subjected, during nearly a quarter of
a century, to numerous isolated amendments and alterations, until as a code,
they are disjointed, complicated, and altogether too cumbrous for the basis of
a regular and effective organization. I therefore recommend that the
legislature should promptly remedy these defects, and adopt such enactments as
shall provide, effectively, for organizing, arming, and equipping the militia
of the state, and for reasonably compensating the officers and privates, when
required to meet for exercise and drill.

I
desire, also, to urge upon you the duty of making contingent appropriations of
money, to be expended under the direction of the executive, for the outfit of
any additional military forces which may be called for by the general
government.

The
occasion is an extraordinary one. Intelligence reaches us, that the Virginia
convention of delegates, elected under the express provision that any ordinance
adopted by them, should be submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection, has, in secret session, passed an ordinance of secession, and that
the governor of the state has assumed to order the seizure of the United States
forts, arsenal and vessels within the limits of that state.

The
Federal capitol is menaced by an imposing and well armed military force, and
the government itself, and the national archives, are in imminent peril.

Such
is the emergency, in view of which I invoke your immediate action. The
legislatures of other states have made liberal appropriations and extensive
military arrangements for aiding the government, and their citizens are
hastening to the rescue of our country's flag. We shall discredit our past
history should we, in this crisis, suffer Vermont
to be behind her sister states, in her patriotic sacrifices for the
preservation of the Union and the constitution.

I
feel assured, gentlemen, that you will best reflect the sentiments and wishes
of your constituents, by emulating in your legislative action, the patriotism
and liberality of the noble states which have already responded to the call of
the government.

It is
devoutly to be hoped that the mad ambition of the secession leaders may be
restrained, and the impending sanguinary conflict averted. But a hesitating,
half-way policy on the part of the administration of the loyal states, will not
avail to produce such a result.

The
United States government must be sustained and the rebellion suppressed, at
whatever cost of men and treasure; and it remains to be seen whether the
vigorous preparations that are being made and the immense military force called
into service by the president, are not the most probable and certain measures
for a speedy and successful solution of the question.

May
that Divine Being, who rules among the nations, and directs the affairs of men,
interpose by His merciful Providence,
and restore to us again the blessing of peace, under the ζgis of our national
constitution.

ERASTUS FAIRBANKS.

On
the 25th, the legislature passed an act appropriating $1,000,000 for arming,
&c., the militia of Vermont;
and, on the 26th, certain acts were passed for organizing and paying the
aforesaid regiment of the uniformed militia.

The
legislature also passed "an act to provide for raising six special
regiments for immediate service for defending and protecting the constitution
and Union."

This
last mentioned act was independent of any previous militia law; and, without
naming any other officer, placed the responsibility of raising, organizing,
uniforming, arming, equipping and subsisting the regiments solely in the hands
of the Governor, with authority to draw his warrants on the state treasurer for
all expenditures.

The
legislature adjourned on the 27th, and on the same day a general order was
issued by the commander-in-chief, designating the companies detailed for the
first regiment, and requiring them to hold themselves in readiness to march to
the place of rendezvous, to be thereafter designated, on twenty-four hours'
notice.

On
the 2d day of May the regiment was mustered at Rutland, under the command of
Col. J. W. Phelps and Lt. Col. P. T. Washburn; and on the 9th it left its
encampment, fully armed, uniformed and equipped, en route for Old Point
Comfort  being only 24 days after the requisition by telegraph from the
secretary of war.

This
regiment did important service at Newport News,
and was honorably discharged at Brattleboro
after the expiration of its term of three months.

On
the 7th of May, commissions were is‑

MILITARY
CHAPTER. 439

sued for recruiting the 2d and 3d regiments of volunteers,
for three years' service, or during the war. The impression was common in the
state, that these regiments could only be filled by drafting; but the result
showed that the sons of Vermont
needed no compulsory process to rally them for the defense of their country's
flag. The regiments were filled with great despatch, and were mustered at Burlington and St.
Johnsbury early in June.

The
2d regiment, under the command of Col. Henry Whiting and Lieut. Col. G. F.
Stannard, left their encampment, for Washington
city, June 24th, and soon afterwards participated in the battle of Bull Run, in
the brigade under the command of Col. (now Brig. Gen.) C. C. Howard.
They were in the hottest of the fight, and suffered the loss of 66 men in
killed, wounded and prisoners. (See Stannard's report.)

In
response, afterwards, to an address from the non-commissioned officers of the
regiment, Gen. Howard remarked: "I remember you on the march before the
21st of July, at Sangster's, at Centreville, and on the memorable day at Bull Run. I often speak of your behavior on that
occasion; cool and steady as regular troops, you stood on the brow of that
hill and fired your 36 rounds, and retired only at the, command of your
colonel."

This
regiment was afterwards ordered to Fort Griffin, and forms a part of the Vermont brigade.

The
3d regiment remained in camp at St. Johnsbury until the 24th of July. During
the time they were thus encamped, there were between two and three hundred
cases of measles, and some fifty men were unfit for service when the troops
were ordered forward. The regiment, under the command of Col. Wm. F. Smith and
Lieut. Col. B. N. Hyde, arrived in Washington
city July 27th, and was immediately ordered forward to Chain Bridge. Here the
men performed important work in throwing up intrenchments and making rifle
pits, on the Maryland side of the Potomac, and were afterwards sent across the
river into Virginia, without tents, being in near proximity to the enemy, and
for ten consecutive days and nights bivouacked, while constructing the abuttis
and earth works at Fort Marcy. They were afterwards exposed to severe service,
as skirmishers and pickets, and are now with the Vermont
brigade at Camp Griffin.

At
the time of the passage of the act to raise six special regiments, it was not
expected that more than two regiments would he called for. The act
"authorized and required the governor to raise two regiments
without delay, and, at such time as in his discretion it may he necessary, four
other regiments." On the 30th of July, the governor issued the following
proclamation:

STATE OF VERMONT,

Executive Department,

St. Johnsbury, July 30, 1861.

By an
act of the legislature, passed April 26th, 1861, the governor was
"authorized and required to raise, organize and muster into service of the
state, without delay, two regiments of soldiers; and at such time as in his
discretion it may appear necessary, four other regiments," &c. Under
this provision, two regiments  being the 2d and 3d Vermont volunteers  have
been raised, uniformed, armed, equipped, and mustered into the service of the
United States for the term of three years, or during the war.

The
1st Vermont regiment, having been detailed
from the companies composing the uniformed militia of the state, were mustered
into the service of the United
States, for three months' service, on the 2d
day of May last. This regiment, under the command of Col. J. W. Phelps,
rendered important service at Newport
News, Va., and during
their term of enlistment have nobly sustained the honor of the state and the
country. Their term of service will expire early in August.

The 2d
regiment having been ordered to Washington,
participated in the disastrous battle of the 21st. The 3d regiment has been
ordered to Washington,
where it still remains.

The
events of the 21st instant, and the retreat of the United States army from the
field near Manassas Junction, demonstrate the necessity of a greatly increased
national force; and, although no formal requisition has been made upon me by
the secretary of war, nor any apportionment of troops as the quota for this
state communicated, yet the events referred to, indicate clearly the necessity
of exercising the discretionary power conferred on me by the aforesaid act, for
raising and organizing additional regiments. Orders will therefore be issued
immediately, to the adjutant and inspector generals, for enlisting the 4th and
5th regiments of volunteers for three years, or during the war, to be tendered
to the general government, so soon as it may be practicable to arm, equip and
discipline the troops for service.

ERASTUS FAIRBANKS.

By
his excellency the governor,

GEO.
A. MERRILL, Private Sec'y.

Commissions
were issued August 6th, for enlisting the 4th and 5th regiments, and a call
having meantime been made by the secretary of war, the governor, on the 20th,
issued the following proclamation:

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

St. Johnsbury, Aug. 20, 1861.

To the citizens of Vermont:

An
emergency has arisen which demands the active and prompt coφperation of every
lover of his country, in efforts to raise and organize troops for the aid and
protection of the general government.

In
view of imminent danger, an earnest call has been made upon the executive, by
direction of the president of the United States, for the two regiments which,
under my general order of the 5th inst., are being enlisted  requesting that
the troops may be

440 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

forwarded to Washington
with the utmost despatch.

Deeply
impressed with the importance of the crisis, I earnestly call upon the
citizens, and especially upon the young men of the state, to enroll their names
at the several recruiting stations, for the service of their country. Vermont has never been delinquent when called to defend
the honor of the national flag, and at this critical juncture, when our
invaluable institutions, our dearest privileges, and our national existence
even, are imperiled, let it not be said that the Green Mountain
state was among the last to fly to the rescue.

ERASTUS
FAIRBANKS, Governor

and
Commander-in-Chief.

This
call was nobly responded to, so that before the middle of September, two full
regiments of volunteers were enlisted and mustered  the 4th at Brattleboro, under Col. E. Stoughton and Lt. Col. H. N.
Worthen, and the 5th at St. Albans, under Col.
H. A. Smalley and Lt. Col. S. A. Grant. These regiments arrived at Washington, Sept. 24th-26th; and were assigned to the
army of the Potomac, in the Vermont
brigade.

A
requisition having been made by the secretary of war for the 6th Vermont
regiment, commissions were issued on the 17th of September for recruiting; and,
in the remarkably short space of thirty days, a full regiment was raised,
uniformed, armed, and equipped, under the sole direction of the governor.

This
6th regiment, under the command of Col. N. Lord, Jr., and Lt. Col. A. P.
Blount, left their encampment at Montpelier,
October 19th, and form a part of the Vermont
brigade in the army of the Potomac.

All
these regiments were armed with rifle muskets of uniform calibre  the 6th with
the Springfield
rifles, and the 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th, with the Enfield rifle muskets.

Two
companies of sharp shooters for Berdan's regiment were enlisted in August and
September, and left their place of rendezvous at West Randolph for Washington
city  the first under Capt. E. Weston, Jr., and the second under Capt. H. R.
Stoughton.

Valedictory
Address of Erastus Fairbanks, Governor of the State of Vermont, to the General Assembly, at their
Annual Session, October, 1861.

The
Honorable, the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

The
extraordinary events of the present year  the critical condition of the
country, and the very responsible and difficult duties assigned to the
executive, under the provisions of the acts of the late extra session of the
legislature, furnish a sufficient reason why I should depart from the usual
custom in retiring from the executive office, and communicate briefly, in an
address to the general assembly, the transactions of the past few months, and
especially those pertaining to the organization and equipment of troops for the
service of the United States.

Immediately
after the passage of the act of April 26th, providing for "the appointment
of regimental and field officers," the 1st regiment was detailed from the
uniformed militia for three months' service, under the requisition of the
president of the United States, and on the 2d day of May, mustered at Rutland.

This
regiment, under its accomplished commander, Col. Phelps, did important service
at Newport News, and was honorably mustered out of the service of the United
States, at Brattleboro', on the 13th of August.

On
the 7th of May, orders were issued for recruiting the 2d and 3d regiments of
volunteers, under the provisions of the act of the 26th of April, entitled
"an act to provide for raising 6 special regiments." These were
filled with great dispatch, and mustered at Burlington and St. Johnsbury, early in June.

The
2d regiment, under Col. Whiting, left Burlington
for Washington
city, June 24th.

The
8d regiment was ordered forward by the secretary of war, July 18th, and left
St. Johnsbury, under the command of Col. (now Brig. Gen.) Smith, July
24th.

On
the 6th of August, commissions were issued for raising the 4th and 5th
regiments of volunteers, which were filled nearly or quite to the maximum
number of 1046 men each, and mustered at Brattleboro' and St. Albans, September
12th-14th.

The
4th, under Col. Stoughton, left Brattleboro' for Washington city, September
21st, and the 5th, under Col. Smalley, left St. Albans, September 23d.

These
several regiments have been uniformed, equipped, furnished with army wagons and
horses, and armed with rifled muskets, at the expense of the state.

On
the 17th of September, recruiting officers were appointed for raising the 6th
regiment of volunteers, which was filled with great promptitude, and mustered
at Montpelier, the first week in October, under the command of Col. Lord 
being fully equipped and uniformed, ready to be ordered forward to the seat of war.

These
five regiments are composed, principally, of the mechanics and yeomanry of the
state, and under their educated and experienced commanders, will, it is
believed, form a Vermont
brigade.

On
the 7th of August, I issued a commission to Capt. E. Weston, Jr., to raise a
company of practical sharp shooters, to be or ganized upon the plan of Col. H.
Berdan, as approved and authorized by the president and secretary of war. This
company was recruited to the maximum number, and left West Randolph for Col.
Berdan's regiment in the army of the Potomac,
on the 4th of September.

On
the 25th of September, I issued a commission to Capt. H. R. Stoughton, to raise
a second company of sharp shooters.

These
companies have been or are to be armed, uniformed and equipped by the general
government.

A
regiment of cavalry has been raised by voluntary enlistment, under a commission
of the secretary of war to Col. L. B. Platt.

I
have authorized Capt. L. H. Sayles of Leicester, to raise a squadron of
cavalry, to form a part of a regiment apportioned to the several New England
states, to be organized, uniformed, and equipped, by Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island, and denominated the New
England regiment of cavalry. This order is subject to the
direction of the legislature.

These
several corps are composed of intel­ligent, independent citizens  volunteers 
enlisted for three years, or during the war; and the alacrity with which they
have volunteered and entered into the service of the country, is a remarkable
and gratifying expression of the devoted patriotism of our citizens, and an
unmistakable pledge of the loyalty of Vermont to the government or the United
States and the cause of the Union. I should do injustice to my own feelings, as
well as to the officers and men in service, should I fail to mention the
uniform testi­mony which has been communicated to me, of the excellent conduct
of our troops. Those of them who have been in active service, have been under
excellent discipline, and have, when in posts of danger and fatigue, displayed
a coolness, courage and endurance, not excelled by soldiers in the regular army
while their moral bearing and exemplary deportment has won for them the
confidence and approbation of their superior officers. I doubt not that the
regiments which have recently joined them, as well as the one soon to follow,
will do themselves equal credit, and prove an honor to the state and the
country.

It
will be recollected that the acts of the extra session, authorizing the raising
of these special regiments, is independent of any previous military
organization or statute. The responsibility of raising, organizing, uniforming,
arming and equipping them, is made the sole duty of the governor. In the
absence of any existing military organization or authorized code, this duty has
been embarrassing and laborious; and not unfrequently responsibilities were
assumed foe which no specific authority existed. But in all cases, care has
been taken to conform to the obvious intent and meaning of the act aforesaid.

By
the provisions of this act, the term of service is limited to two years; and
each non-commissioned officer, musician and private, is entitled to receive
from the state of Vermont, $7 per month, in
addition to the compensation paid by the United States.

The
requisition of the president of the United states for troops for three years,
or during the war, made it expedient and necessary to adopt a form of contract
in accord­ance thereto, while at the same time it was made to conform to the
provisions of the act aforesaid, as follows: "We enlist and agree to serve
for the first two years under and by virtue of the provisions of the act of the
legislature of this state, entitled an act to provide for raising six special
regiments, for immediate service, for protecting and defending the constitution
and the Union, approved April 26, 1861, and are to receive the compensation
therein provided, and for the third year, under the laws, rules and regulations
relating to the army of the United States, and such further compensation, if
any, as the legislature of the state of Vermont may hereafter provide." It
will be seen, therefore, that should the term of service be extended to the
third year, the soldiers thus serving will not be entitled to the $7 per month
extra pay, without further legislative provisions.

Every
consideration of equity and justice demands that provisions should be made for
placing the several corps of citizen soldiers upon the same footing in this
regard.

Owing
to circumstances beyond my control, it has, until the present time, been
impossible to obtain all the vouchers necessary for preparing properly the
abstracts to be presented to the treasury department, for the reimbursement of
expenses incurred by the state.

An
estimate, certified by me to be within the amount actually expended for the
first, second and third regiments, was forwarded to Washington by J. W.
Stewart, Esq., inspector of finance, early in September, upon which estimate 40
per cent, or $123,000 has been refunded and placed in the state treasury.

The
amount of warrants drawn by me upon the Treasurer, up to and including the 4th
of October, is $512,362.59; which amount has been disbursed upon proper
vouchers for the six regiments aforesaid, under appropriate heads, to be
submitted hereafter. Of this amount, $123,000 has been reimbursed by the
secretary of the treasury, as above stated.

A few
bills for expenses of the 4th and 5th regiments are yet unsettled as also the
recruiting service, transportation, subsistence and incidental expenses of the
7th. There is also a class of claims, which I have not felt authorized to
allow, which will probably be presented.

By
the act of congress of July 27th, it is provided as follows: "That the
secretary of the treasury be, and he is hereby directed, out of any money in
the treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to pay to the governor of any state,
or his duly authorized agents, the costs, charges, and expenses properly
incurred by such state, for enrolling, subsisting, clothing, supplying, arming,
equipping, paying and transporting its troops employed in aiding to suppress
the present insurrection against the United States, to be settled upon proper
vouchers, to be filed and passed upon by the proper accounting officers of the
treasury."

I
respectfully request the appointment by the legislature, of a commission to
examine the accounts for disbursements already made

442 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

by me for the above purposes, to adjust and settle all
outstanding bills, to arrange the vouchers and prepare the necessary abstracts
of expenses, to be presented to the secretary of' the treasury for allowance
under the act aforesaid.

Early
in June, I received a letter from T. W. Park, Esq., of San Francisco, Cal.,
covering, a check for $1000, as a patriotic coutribution to his native state,
"towards defraying the expense of fitting out her sons for the service of
the country," which amount I placed in the hands of the state treasurer.

Under
the provisions of the act of November 27th, 1860, entitled "an act for the
better protection of the treasury," I appointed John W. Stewart, Esq., of
Middlebury, inspector of finance, which office he has accepted.

In
common with the executives of the other loyal states, whose legislatures were
not then in session, I appointed commissioners to the peace convention, so
called, which assembled in Washington
in February last. The question of providing for reimbursing the expense of this
commission is respectfully submitted for the consideration of the legislature.

In
accordance with general order No. 25, of the war department, I appointed a
board of medical examiners, for the examination of candidates for the office of
surgeons of regiments, consisting of Samuel W. Thayer, Jr., M. D., Burlington,
Edward E. Phelps, M. D., Windsor, Selim Newell, M. D., St. Johnsbury, who have
attended to the duties of their appointment, and the expenses of the board are
included in those of the volunteer militia.

I
have appointed the Hon. Joseph Poland of Montpelier, a special financial agent
to visit and remain with the Vermont regiments at the seat of war, for the
purpose of being a medium of communication between the soldiers and their
friends and consignees at home, giving information to the men, and receiving
and transmitting such portion of their pay as they may desire to send home for
investment and safe keeping, or for the use of their families or friends.

Mr. Poland
has been constituted by me a trustee of the soldiers aforesaid, for the above
service, and has executed a bond, with ample sureties, for the faithful
execution of the trust.

The
importance of this appointment, both to the officers and men of the regiments
and to the state, can hardly be over-estimated; but, as it is not provided for
by law, I commend it to the favorable consideration of the legislature.

The
multiform and onerous duties relating to the raising, organizing and furnishing
the several regiments, the auditing of bills and accounts, the disbursement of
funds, &c., imposed upon the executive by the acts of the extra session,
rendered it impossible that I should attend to the appointment and
correspondence of town agents for the support of families of citizen soldiers;
and at my request, the lieutenant governor kindly consented to take charge of
that department of the public service.

By
his report, which is herewith submitted, it will be seen that the amount drawn
from the treasury prior to October 1st, is $1,778.22.

I
submit herewith a copy of instructions, prepared by me for the observance of
the several town agents, but the experience of the lieutenant governor has
shown the importance of a more perfect system, and I respectfully commend the
suggestions contained in his report to the consideration of the general
assembly.

Under
my directions, the quartermaster general has sold a quantity of Windsor rifles belonging
to the state, at $13.50 each. These rifles are a good arm, but being without
bayo­nets, and not adapted to the use of our sol­diers, they have long remained
practically useless to the state.

It
has been my purpose to confine this communication to the history of the past,
earnestly hoping that the governor elect, who is detained by illness, will, at
an early day, be able to lay before you the appropriate business for the
session. I therefore omit to call your attention to measures which, under other
circumstances, I might deem important.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:

In
retiring from the arduous duties of the political year now closing, I desire to
express, through you, to the citizens of Vermont, my high appreciation of their
confidence and patrotic cooperation in carrying into execution the important
measures required by the acts of the special session, and to assure you that I
shall carry with me into private life a sacred devotion to the interests of the
state and to the cause of our common country,

You,
gentlemen, are called to deliberate upon measures more important and vital to
the interests of the state and the country, than any which have ever before
occupied the attention of the general assembly; requiring your patient, careful
and dispassionate deliberation. May an all-wise Providence guide you; and may
our Heavenly Father interpose to deliver our beloved country from its present
calamity and from the perils which threaten it, and restore to it again the
blessings of peace, union and prosperity.

[Careful
historians will be engaged to furnish historical papers for this department,
which will continue to give an accurate summary of our legislative acts
pertaining to the war, and also an account of the part taken by the Vermont
soldiers in every engagement in which they have or may be called to
participate, so soon as the facts can be gleaned and established for a reliable
history  lists of the killed or wounded will also be gives by counties, or companies,
and anecdotes of the soldiers.  Ed.]